Religious freedom was mentioned — along with the good the Church does — amid the jokes on Oct. 18.

NEW YORK — An annual Catholic fundraising dinner that included both major presidential candidates provided a night of laughter, as well as reminders of the Church’s battle to defend its religious freedom against the federal contraception mandate.

Al Smith, former New York governor and the namesake of the charity dinner, believed that government should aid those in need by “partnering with family, church, parish, neighborhood, organizations and community, never intruding or opposing,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York Oct. 18.

In the final weeks of what has become a very close presidential race, President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney took a night off from campaign events to attend the 67th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York.

The event was held amid a tense struggle between the Catholic community and the Obama administration.

The Archdiocese of New York has joined with more than 100 other plaintiffs in filing lawsuits against the administration’s federal contraception mandate, which requires them to violate their faith by facilitating insurance coverage of contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs.

Cardinal Dolan’s invitation to Obama under these circumstances drew criticism from those who feared it may send the wrong message, allowing Obama to have a photo op with the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops while downplaying the significance of the Church’s conflict with the administration.

While the attendance of presidential rivals is a long-standing tradition at the dinner, previous cardinals have failed to extend invitations to the contenders when Bill Clinton and John Kerry were running, reportedly due to their support for abortion.

The cardinal defended his decision in an Aug. 14 blog post, saying that his commitment to religious freedom had not waned, but that he saw the invitation as an opportunity for “engagement and dialogue.”

“In other words, it’s better to invite than to ignore, more effective to talk together than to yell from a distance, more productive to open a door than to shut one,” he said.

Laughter filled much of the evening. The candidates poked fun at themselves and each other on various topics, including the wealth that Romney amassed as a businessman and Obama’s poorly rated performance in the first presidential debate.

In a reference to his Mormon faith, which forbids the consumption of alcohol, Romney joked that his debate preparation includes refraining “from alcohol for 65 years before the debate.”

Touching on the subject of media bias, he said the next morning’s headlines describing the event would read: “Obama Embraced by Catholics. Romney Dines With Rich People.”

Romney also broached the subject of the contraception mandate in his remarks, saying, “Of course, the president has found a way to take the sting out of the Obamacare mandates for the Church. From now on, they’re going to be in Latin.”

On a serious note, Romney praised the work of the New York Archdiocese and the Al Smith Foundation.

“You answer with calm and willing hearts and service to the poor and care for the sick, in defense (of) the rights of conscience and in solidarity with the innocent child waiting to be born,” he said, adding that he is proud to be an “ally and friend” in these “great causes of compassion.”

Obama offered humorous jabs of his own, saying that he had earlier gone “shopping at some stores in Midtown,” while Romney “went shopping for some stores in Midtown.”

“As some of you may have noticed, I had a lot more energy in our second debate,” the president said. “I felt really well rested after the nice long nap I had in the first debate.”

Leaving humor behind, the president also applauded “the extraordinary work that is done by the Catholic Church.” He noted that “it’s written in Scripture that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Despite their differences, he said, “I’m certain that we share the hope that the next four years will reflect the same decency and the same willingness to come together for a higher purpose that are on display this evening.”

Cardinal Dolan closed out the night with remarks that began jokingly but then became reflective on the nature and importance of religious freedom.

He suggested that the annual dinner “shows the United States of America and the Catholic Church at their best,” uniting people of diverse faiths, economic backgrounds and political views in “an atmosphere of civility and humor.”

Despite their differences, he said, those gathered are grateful “to be people of faith and loyal Americans, loving a country which considers religious liberty our first and most cherished freedom, convinced that faith is not just limited to an hour of Sabbath worship, but affects everything we do and dare and dream.”

The cardinal concluded the evening by acknowledging “the ‘uns’ of the world,” including “the unemployed, the uninsured, the unwanted, the unwed mother, the innocent, fragile unborn baby in her womb, the undocumented, the unhoused, the unhealthy, the unfed, the undereducated.”

He recalled Al Smith’s conviction that government “should be on the side of these ‘uns’” by cooperating with private individuals and religious groups, “since, when all is said and done, it’s in God we trust — not, ultimately, in government or politics.”

Comments

I’d feel good about Mitt Romney representing this country. His ecomomic and moral (most importantly on the Catholic side) stances are clearly better, but he also looks Presidential, and he comes across as a pleasant, decent man.

Posted by Sue (old) on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 3:29 PM (EDT):

What bothers me most about this election and the Catholic Church, is that nothing is said at Mass. I know that priests cannot tell us ‘how to vote’, but they could have something in the bulletin about “Life”, [probably not abt. abortion for reasons one can guess.] What I am getting at is, it just is not mentioned at all in the Church I go to. They don’t even talk around the issue and let everyone know where the CC stands. I know that most Catholics do not read the NCR or any other Catholic paper, not even on the internet. I really believe our Parishes are lax. [Could it be they are afraid of losing parishioners?] I mentioned before about my Catholic friend who said she will vote for Obama and if anyone gets an abortion, etc.,it is on their soul, not hers. See the attitude some people have!

Posted by Ela on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 12:54 PM (EDT):

To mb - funny, I felt the same way when I heard him speak about that! You can see it online (probably YouTube) and listen to Obama’s speech ... it was towards the end that he made this remark. It was curiously stated. Cardinal Dolan is certainly sending very mixed messages towards the faithful, his flock. Our bishops need to do a better job by spelling out the fact that one candidate is stronly pro-abortion and the other one is in defense of life. It’s a black and white picture and if Catholics do not understand that then they will blindly vote for the president who is already in office and has the worst anti-life record in the history of the US presidency. Cardinal Dolan and all US bishops need to be honest with their people or we’ll see another four years of these atrocities against humanity globally.
May the Mother of God, Mary most Holy, protect our Nation!http://www.fromoceantoocean.org/

Posted by cheeriosinpocket on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 11:27 AM (EDT):

Utter nonsense—Cardinal Dolan defended his decision…saying that his commitment to religious freedom had not waned, but that he saw the invitation as an opportunity for “engagement and dialogue.” “In other words, it’s better to invite than to ignore, more effective to talk together than to yell from a distance, more productive to open a door than to shut one,” he said.

This is absolutely appalling. Invite him to a nice quiet dinner at home—now there is an opportunity for engagement and dialogue! Mr. Obama need not be “ignored nor yelled at from a distance.” Meet with the President of the U.S.A., but don’t invite him to this event and most certainly DO NOT invite him to speak at any Catholic dinner, or say even commencement, etc., etc., etc. Mr. Obama must learn as we faithful have learned and hold as Truth…evil is evil. Abortion is evil. The H.H.S. Mandate would mandate evil. Dialogue and dine in private, ask for prayers on behalf of souls. At all costs, refrain from this display—vile humor.

May our Lord bless Cardinal Dolan on his journey and mission to the front.

Posted by TG on Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 6:02 PM (EDT):

I wish the Cardinal would have mentioned the unborn first. Mother Teresa said the greatest poverty today is abortion. I also find it interesting that he would dine with Obama but would not dine with Judie Brown of American Life League when he was a bishop in Wisconsin. Ms. Brown is known for calling out bishops and Catholic orgaizations when they stray from or are weak regarding pro-life issues.

Posted by Vladimir Sliva on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 8:54 PM (EDT):

My bishop puts the unborn first: I quote from Most Reverend R. Daniel Conlon Election Message 2012: “Of all the issues we face, abortion is the most serious.”

Posted by mb on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 5:18 PM (EDT):

I finally understand Obama’s attitude towards the Church. Out of his kindness and the goodness of his heart, he’s simply providing the tribulation so that the Church can grow in perseverance, character, and hope.

Posted by Jacqueline on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 1:01 PM (EDT):

In praise of Cardinal Dolan who sees that “engagement and dialogue” can be so much more effective than vitriol and vindictiveness. And with prayers for his safety and success as he goes to Syria in a mission for “engagement and dialogue”. Thank you Cardinal Dolan for your service to Christ and His church.

Posted by Mouse on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 12:16 PM (EDT):

It is not right to make jokes about the Obama mandate when some of us stand to lose our insurance, our businesses, etc., if we don’t comply with this unconsitutional, tyrannical mandate…when the Church, IF she is faithful, stands to lose her institutions, or be fined into penury. It is a little bit like joking about the Act of Supremacy while St Thomas More is rotting away in the Tower. It strikes me as totally inappropriate.

I feel like I’m in the twilight zone reading things like this. I sincerely think one day this laughter will haunt us.

Posted by Sue (old) on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 12:05 PM (EDT):

I congratulate Cardinal Dolan. He is more than willing to keep the dialogue open between people of all denominations and religion, as well as, the political agenda today. This is better than taking a stubborn stance and say my way or no way. On a more personal note; my late husband was Protestant and never did I ask him to join me in the Catholic Church. [a person has to WANT to not FORCED to] As a result, we had no problems with my being Catholic and our children going to Catholic school from 1st grade through 12th. I had complete cooperation from him in this matter and in the end, though he never joined the Catholic Church, he was buried at a Catholic funeral Mass.

Posted by ANNE on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 12:04 PM (EDT):

Heretical and Schismatic - ” CATHOLCIS for OBAMA” are using a picture of Cardinal Dolan and Obama from the dinner, along with Obama’s speech on their web site - so that Catholics will vote for Obama.

It could turn up in other last minute Obama campaign materials.

Posted by Nancy D. on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 11:16 AM (EDT):

Since it is true that Charity begins at home, denying the personal and relational essence of the human person from the moment of conception, when every human individual, regardless of race or ancestry, was created in The Image of God, equal in Dignity, while being complementary as male and female to reflect Love, is both un Christian and un American.

Posted by Gee on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 10:57 AM (EDT):

Watching this on TV was so fun! We all needed it, but the truth is louder than words and Romney did a fantastic job defending the truth. God be with us during this election!

Posted by cheeriosinpocket on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 10:06 AM (EDT):

Precisely the problem…the unborn baby in the mother’s womb ranked #5 in Cardinal Dolan’s closing remarks. Oh my goodness. If only we who were conceived and not murdered could open our souls and eyes! This is not under religious freedom. A woman conceives a baby and not a flower nor a zebra. Why are we lowering ourselves to slavery of our passions vs. being passionate for the dignity of each person, each new life that wasn’t before conception but that is now conceived. Naturally conceived, that is, by a man and woman. Does it not so clearly make sense that this is a sacred act between husband and wife because it unites the two, an intimate act totally and completely, excluding others, who will care not only for each other, but the newly conceived baby? Marriage isn’t 50/50, I once read, but rather 100/100…these are the husbands and wives experiencing the fullness of love and the fruit of their love, a newly conceived baby. Once we see clearly, opening our reason and soul, the Awesome, All Knowing, All Merciful, All Mighty God will flood our souls with grace upon grace and the Love He is and has for each newly conceived life! Why would we aim for or desire anything less?

The Al Smith foundation has Board Members who are quite wealthy monetarily but poor in understanding the dignity of man. Perhaps this tie needs severing?

May God bless each of us this day and always.

Posted by Gary on Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 9:20 AM (EDT):

I li ke what cardinal Dolan said thatis reported in the article.

Posted by Nancy D. on Friday, Oct 19, 2012 5:38 PM (EDT):

“As the family goes, so goes the Nation.” - John Paul II

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